Considering Freelander 1

[Weimar]

Currently considering a Freelander 1.

I believe the TD4 2004 or later would be the pick of the bunch?
Do you have to have an SE or better to get TC and HDC or was it an option
on lower spec models?

I assume storage in the back will be a little disappointing after a Disco
and a Volvo Crosscountry?

As such a roof rack is almost mandatory, does anyone know if the roof rails
are hard to remove and does Tradesman make a rack to suit?

Tim W

[101RRS]

2004 TD4 is a great pick - you will get HD etc on all models. I thought the SE on that model was the base model with HSE the next up - but I am not sure.

Room in the back is a tad shorter than a D1 but not as high.

Once fitted the longitudinal roof rails are not designed to come off - not without pulling the inside apart - however standard roof racks go on these like any other car with similar rails.

Garry

[camel_landy]

TD4 Auto is the pick of the bunch.

Yep, you'll probably miss the boot space.

M

[Weimar]

Thanks for the replies.

A tad shorter than a D1 doesn't sound too bad although I will need
a fairly decent rack/trailer to cart 3 dogs, baby, 2 kayaks etc.

Would have loved to keep the disco but the wife did not feel comfortable
driving it over about 20kmh.

Are there any common problems in this model Freelander?
I know the D2 had the oil pump problem, prone to oil in the loom,
3 amigos, harmonic balancer etc.

Also as a a possible alternative does anyone know how thirst the V6 was in the real world?

Tim W

[101RRS]

Three dogs in the rear would be tight. Could fit kayaks on the roof using a Thule roof rack system.

This model TD4 does not have any systemic problems though like all cars the occasional issue could crop up but there is nothing you speciffically need to watch out for. My L series used 6-7l/100km on the road and about 9l/100 around town and I believe the TD4 is marginally better with a bit more power and torque.

I cannot really comment on the V6 other than to repeat what I have heard - engine not as reliable but OK if serviced properly (will you get a 04 V6?). For a 2.5l engine they are thirsty but still a lot less than a V8 Disco - but they also get up and go.

Remember the F1 has the same wheelbase as a D1, is as wide, and has about the same track - however it is not as high, nor as long. However its width is low down so internal size is a lot less than a D1. A F1 drives a lot better than a D1 and rides a bit better (I had a V8 disco as well as my current Freelander).

Nurse the bub and fold down the rear seats for the doggies.:D Well at least put the baby capsule on the smaller of the rear seats and fold the larger one for the doggies.

Garry

Garry

[Weimar]

Hello Gary, I don't think I will be able to get a 2004/05 Freelander with a TD4
as when it got the facelift I pretty sure the petrol engines got dropped.

The years I'm looking at are pretty scarce so one option was to go slightly older (2002/03) and get the V6.

Found this site in the UK has a lot of data for the Freelander.

Freelander - Fix problems, repairs, diagrams, whats wrong, faults, upgrates - Land Rover (http://www.myfreelander.co.uk)

Also found if you go to Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing (http://www.flickr.com) and seach for

Freelander and Commodore you get a rough idea of how crash worthy they are.

Thanks for all the replies, a bit to consider.

Tim W

[Spenboyd]

gday we have a Freelander td4 auto we are about to put on the market (three kids are now too old/big) it has been a great car for us, the transmission started playing up so we had it rebuilt and a re just waiting to get it back from the mechanic.

I carry three sea kayaks on the roof, no problem and with the milford cargo barrier hounds in the back are no issue.
Great fuel economy and a very strong little engine.

pm me for any more info, but they are a top little beastie

[Grasshoppr]

Hi all , just adding my 2 bobs worth. I have a TD4 2004. manual, great all rounder, with tight driving I can obtain 7.7/100 around Perth. 110ks replaced fuel pump at the tank. clutch/plate has been replace. Only a couple of draw backs would be, no low range gear although I beleave the auto is better for this and the knee room is a bit tight. But boy,, with a little more ground clearance, it can keep up with the discos. I've only had to be dragged up over some tall rocks once. Lots of low down torque, idle over soft sand.
Servicing - like any - $$$
Happy hunting
Bruce

[camel_landy]

...no low range gear although I beleave the auto is better for this...

Yep, the auto makes all the difference, it will compensate for the lack of Lo Range so you can go slow without burning out clutches.

M

[Shaman]

I came to the party (thread) late, but just in case, here is my 2 cents worth.

I, too, have a MY04 Freelander Td4 that I picked up in March 2004. There was a facelift given to the (then) new model (painted bumperbars etc.) and at the time, only the Td4 was avaiable, no petrol engine. They had the S model as the base option, this is what I have, and the fancier SE. The SE also had a "luxury pack" option available with lather seats, more expensive (note, that I didn't say "better") stereo system. Later, prob'ly following year, they added other model choices.

Traction control, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and HDC was standard on mine, although in my opinion, HDC is nothing more than a gimmick and I'm sure it wears something out if used too much. The automatic is surprisingly good at allowing usable engine breaking and generally, the transmission is very well engineered. You can use it in sports mode and even in manual shift mode. A friend who used to work in the automotive industry tells me that it is difficult to match diesel with auto transmission and to make a good job at it. This also explains why some car companies don't offer auto as an option on some models, or add it later, but I digress.

As was pointed out by other posters, the FL Td4 is relatively economical. Mine had a few minor niggles but very few cars are TOTALLY problem-free in 5 years of driving. It still looks OK, the finish still looks good and has solid panels. Storage is a bit limited but if you are into cups and bottles, cup and bottle holders will be coming out your ears. :) As far as dogs go, it has only been tested with two, and they weren't happy, but it was more to do with going to the vet than the car itself! The little Landie also laps up dirt roads with ease, unless those roads are very rough.

It goes further than just about any AWD. To find out why, just crouch down and look under them.

There is one thing to watch out for. If anybody much over 6 feet will drive the car, perhaps the FL is not for them (no headroom, your feet can get trapped momentarily). Land Rover somewhat stuffed up ergonomics that way. I'm about 6' 2"/184cm and that's probably the max you'd like to go. If you are shorter, there shouldn't be any probs. I find the seat comfortable even on long drives but I've heard complaints from other people that it can feel too hard after a while. My advice: ask your own backside for guidance on the matter! :D

Oh, and if you like Land Rover logos, you'll be in heaven. I haven't seen that many manufacturer's logos on any cars. :)

Cheers,
Shaman

[Shaman]

The years I'm looking at are pretty scarce so one option was to go slightly older (2002/03) and get the V6. ... Tim W

I'd be very careful with the older petrol models. The Freelanders with engines made in South Africa especially had a bad history. Personally, I'd avoid them but if the price is right and they have a known trouble-free history, they may be worth considering.

The V6 is also considered to be particularly thirsty on the road and even worse off-road.

Shaman

[101RRS]

I'd be very careful with the older petrol models. The Freelanders with engines made in South Africa especially had a bad history. Personally, I'd avoid them but if the price is right and they have a known trouble-free history, they may be worth considering.

The V6 is also considered to be particularly thirsty on the road and even worse off-road.

Shaman

What Freelander engine was made in South Africa??

[Spenboyd]

Our TD4 auto wagon with 95,000 kms will go on the market this weekend, pm me if interested but I will be putting pics and details on market pages in the next hour or so....it is a little ripper

[Shaman]

What Freelander engine was made in South Africa??

I'm not sure, as I 've never owned one of those. I got my information from others and on the net, forums etc. Some Freelenders were made in South Africa, but I don't know if the engines were made there locally, or just assembled there.

Check out this page:
Land Rover News (http://www.landyonline.co.za/news/land_rover_news2.htm)
Scroll down to the heading Land Rover SA to export to Angola, Australia.

If my memory is correct, the reliability problems affected the FLs with the V6 petrol engine. The typical thing was that the engine would run well until about 15-20,000km and then one thing after another would break down and the poor FL would spend more time in repair than on the road. It was a bit of a pot luck if you got a lemon or not. Some FLs would run OK but too many weren't.

Faced with a growing stain on their reputation, LR pulled back production to Solihull and the problems went away, for later production. The earlier dubious reliability record made me decide to buy a new one, at the time. Apparently, if you look at the VIN, you can tell where it was made, and more.

My VIN starts out SALLNABE14A... The last A means it was from Solihull.

Check out:
4x4 UK | FAQ | Answers to frequently asked questions - Decoding VIN Plate information (http://www.4x4uk.org/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=19&id=42)

Cheers,

Shaman

[Weimar]

Thanks Shaman, for your thoughtful reply. I'm 185cm tall so it's going to
a fairly close fit in the drivers seat.

There is a lack of space in the back of the FreeLander but it is a small car,
as long as the groceries/Victa mower/Mountain Buggy pram/weeks shopping/
3 dogs/Mountain bike can fit in, obviously not all at the same time, it should be ok.

Looking at the Freelander as it has a good reputation for reliability, if you excuse the 1.8 litre petrol engine.

Just have to build my case to present to the Minister for War InFrastructure
and Expenditure.

Tim W

[Albioninoz]

As others have been adding their few bobs worth, I'll add mine. I have recently bought a 2004 Freelander that had done 117,000 klms. It is the first 4x4 and the first diesel I have owned. I love it. It is so comfortable and has a brilliant driving position. I do suffer a bit from the over 6 foot (I'm 6' 1") syndrome but that pales into insignificance. My car was built in Solihul UK and I was told the engine and transmission hail from BMW, Can anyone expand on this? Is this a good thing? I suppose space is a bit limited in the back but it is plenty for what I need. As you can tell from my username I am a pom and have a penchant for british cars; my other car is a 1976 Rover P6B V8!

Cheers,

[Shaman]

I do suffer a bit from the over 6 foot (I'm 6' 1") syndrome but that pales into insignificance. My car was built in Solihul UK and I was told the engine and transmission hail from BMW, Can anyone expand on this? Is this a good thing?

I guess the important thing is to try before one buys. I didn't mean that potential buyers over 6" should not even consider the Freelander, just that they have to watch out for potential "size problems" and see it for themselves.

Regarding the BMW engine, all I know is that at one time BMW owned the Rover Group (or at least LR) and it made sense to plop their engine in. Then, LR was sold to Ford and things started to go Volvo way. ;)

[Weimar]

Well I almost had permission to get a Freelander I until the wife saw
Top Gear and a crashed Freelander I with a deformed passenger compartment, and they only rated it at three stars for NCAP.

A little unfair as the design was about 8 years old at the time.

Ah well, back to the drawing board.

Tim W

[Shaman]

Well I almost had permission to get a Freelander I until the wife saw
Top Gear and a crashed Freelander I with a deformed passenger compartment, and they only rated it at three stars for NCAP.

A little unfair as the design was about 8 years old at the time.

Ah well, back to the drawing board.

Tim W

Tim, I also managed to find it on Youtube, it's gotta be this one:

YouTube - BBC Topgear Euro NCAP ratings

I hope I'll never be in a situation to verify their test! :(

Car safety has came a long way. A 5+ year old car is likely to do worse than comparable new ones and, as you pointed out, the FL is based on an even older design. So, it's not a big surprise but I must admit that even back in 2004 (when I got mine), the FL did not have an absolute top rating.

One thing that needs to be taken into account that while structural strength (or lack of it) applies to all FL models, there might be more/less safety features included. This also varies from country to country. E.g. the inclusion of curtain airbags can make the difference between a big thud or a brain-splat, after side impact. I believe the curtain airbag option was available overseas but not here in Oz. An LR marketing decision, I suppose.

Anyway, there is more at
www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au - LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2002 - Summary safety report (http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/_scripts/ancap_summary_result.php?IID=85)

[Weimar]

Hello Shaman, that would be the one.
Structural failure of the passenger cab is a big fail really.
However I did post a link to a picture of a Freelander that had broken
a VL Commodore in half and I thought the Freelander came out of it pretty well.

Land Rover obviously did a lot of work on crash safety as the FL2 is 5 stars, problem is that I can get a 2003-2005 FL for $20,000 to $25,000
whereas a FL2 is $47,000 to $50,000 plus.

Bit disappointing as apart from this it appears to be a nice little car.

Tim W